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I wasn’t a huge admirer; felt she never had the electric factor of Faugheen or Annie Power. But 16 wins from 16, taking on all-comers, on all grounds, most of those in 2-mile hurdling, the 2nd most prestigious branch of NH racing, is an incredible record. The only battle she ducked was for the Mares Hurdle in 2020, which was probably a better race than the Champion Hurdle that year. She always wins with something in hand, who knows what she could pull out if needed.
Really hope we get another season from her.Honeysuckle is great
She does remind me of Faugheen as she can take lengths out of the field in only a few strides. That didn’t happen today, she took a little longer to get through the gears but still annilitated them.
Not sure she ducked the race you mentioned. The Champion Hurdle is the main race so the other race ducked her imo
Hope she can get to Cheltenham in one piece as it will be a showdown against Consitution Hill which will be well worth the trip to see themGaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
I genuinely don’t know what more Honeysuckle can do to win over the haters. She’s comfortably beaten everything put before her. While she’s not quite as good as Hurricane Fly or maybe peak Faugheen (although, unlike Faugheen, she has had more than one good post-novice seasons and, unlike The Fly, she hasn’t lost to the likes of Rock On Ruby) she’s as good as anything else this century, or at least the last 15 years.
BlueSky @pghenn.bsky.social
So don't run, just like the others always do
There are certain damners with faint praise, put it that way.
That is, unless you take heed of Irish Racing Social Media, which is convinced that there is a Terrible English Conspiracy to dismiss the horse out of hand.
BlueSky @pghenn.bsky.social
So don't run, just like the others always do
16 consecutive wins isn’t the easiest thing to achieve – and multiple Gd 1 wins. She can’t do any more. Her ‘problem’ is the standard of opponents; which she beats time after time, and receives the 7lb mares allowance. However, 2m hurdling has been in decline for quite a number of years, so whoever dominates is going to suffer from the limited opposition.
I think she is a very good mare, I’m not sure she’s great – but does it really matter?You can say that she’s dominating a weak division. Maybe that’s true, but at least, unlike the similarly weak three mile chase division until A Plus Tard got to where he is now (and may never be again), there’s a horse that can dominate it.
Let’s not forget (for instance) that Benie Des Dieux was supposed to Mullins next big thing, and Honeysuckle slammed her. She can only beat what’s in front of her and she does it again and again and again.
BlueSky @pghenn.bsky.social
So don't run, just like the others always do
Mares rated 165 and 149 take advantage of 7lb gender allowance to finish one-two in Grade 1 at Punchestown.
A 153 rated gelding was seven lengths third, suggesting the winner ran to about 153 herself today.
That’s “only” a couple of STONE below the all-time great Champion Hurdlers.
Doesn’t that make me a damner with faint praise or an outright “hater?”
She is a wonderfully consistent mare, but she’s dominated a particularly weak era.
“The Hill” is just a novice yet he’d have to concede 17lb to Darasso in a handicap.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"It is a shame how anyone who merely tries to objectively consider what Honeysuckle has achieved gets labelled as a “hater”. Maybe it is a sign of how social media polarises opinion sometimes.
I also think it stems from De Bromhead’s attitude. He was clearly angry with Matt Chapman’s comments about Honeysuckle. Then Constitution Hill came along and sort of stole her thunder a little bit at Cheltenham. Hence De Bromhead getting prickly and defensive when asked about him.
The idea some people “hate” Honeysuckle is ridiculous. She gets a great reception every time she wins.
Is it even possible for anyone over the age of 21 to be a “hater?”
I kinda thought it was a term melodramatic teenagers use.
Isn’t objective critical analysis legal any more?
Has it become a hate crime?
I agree with CAS.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"All Honeysuckle can do is beat all her opposition; which she has done 16 times out of 16. Will we ever see her like again?
Honeysuckle is a wonderful horse, always gives it her all and has gifted us with some tremendous victories.
But her greatest gift is her unbeaten record, not because she’s unbeaten, but because it’s giving us odds-against about the greatest Supreme winner we have ever seen!
I imagine half of the forum (myself included, hopefully) will be there on the Tuesday, that post-race curry will taste the sweetest it ever has.
Thank you Honeysuckle.
Hmmm, I’m very out of touch with much modern vernacular, but even I know that “hater” is often used to mean a negative or critical person rather than someone who necessarily truly hates something.
You may well think this term is juvenile or inflammatory, but it exists nonetheless. Surely nobody here seriously thinks they are being accused of actually hating Honeysuckle? I am not sure that jumping on this part of fivelongdays’ post is very constructive. Sorry!
I do actually agree with fivelongdays too that Honeysuckle does get damned with faint praise. Her consistency at such a high level definitely makes her a great in my book. I am very excited by what Constitution Hill may go on to achieve, but do feel Honeysuckle is somewhat overlooked since he came along.
Just a pity that C Hill’s connections chickened out of the match; who knows if they’ll both be around and injury-free next year.
“Hate” is a very strong word that should be avoided except when you talk about our present government. Then it becomes VERY appropriate. Only my opinion, of course.
“Surely nobody here seriously thinks they are being accused of actually hating Honeysuckle? I am not sure that jumping on this part of fivelongdays’ post is very constructive. Sorry!”
Tom Stanley introduced RTV’s coverage from Punchestown yesterday. He said an Irish punter approached him earlier in the week and said “you Brits never give Honeysuckle the praise she deserves” or words to that effect.
This narrative seems to be developing that she is not appreciated, especially in Britain. A narrative I believe De Bromhead is encouraging.
I do not see it. Everyone recognises she is a good horse. There is nothing inconsistent with that and analysing her form and the horses she has beaten to assess her merit. Mr Davies puts into context what she achieved yesterday. It was a good performance by her – but not a great one.
She has perhaps been a little bit unfortunate. Her first Champion Hurdle was won in front of empty stands and her second was after a sensational performance in the Supreme run over the same course and distance which meant a time comparison could be made.
I can understand De Bromhead being a little bit irritated but did he really believe everyone was just going to ignore the fact that Constitution Hill was visually impressive and ran a significantly faster time?
I think De Bromhead and Honeysuckle’s more enthusiastic supporters need to relax. It seems they are getting close to saying the mare should just be automatically accepted as an all time great and are trying to shut down any scrutiny by saying it is mean spirited.
That is not the way it works. All horses have their form examined or get compared to previous champions. Why should Honeysuckle be any different?
Honeysuckle has been absolutely brilliant. The longevity of her success is to be admired. The ‘what has she beat’ argument pops up in racing often but i ignore it here. These are grade 1s she has been winning. 12 so far and there may be more to come. My favourite horse in training since i trusted her to beat Benie in the Mares Hurdle when most didn’t. The day will come when she loses and when it does i will feel a bit sad.
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